Core values of the Belief
Background Information
Taoism beliefs are mostly focused on the immortality of the physical body and their belief is evolved around the idea of living a simple and balanced life in harmony with nature. The beliefs of Taoism are also focused on the Tao (The Way) and are convinced that it is the origin of the universe, the basis of all existing things and the ultimate god of Taoism. All of their beliefs have are associated with the writings of Laozi, the Tao Te Ching. The beliefs of Taoism enlightens the followers of Taoism by explaining how people can gain peace and happiness by becoming one with the Dao. Laozi believed that for people to discover how to behave, they should notice how nothing in nature strives for fame, power, or knowledge. Instead, nature accepts what comes its way.
The Tao
The Tao is a concept signifying the "way" or "path". It is the basis of all living things and it is a method for all Taoists to live by because it governs and controls nature. The followers of Taoism get enlightened with the idea that the Tao is indefinable and it is beyond human logic. It is also "eternally nameless" and is perceived to be distinguished from the "named" things which are considered to be manifestations or the external appearance of something.
The Tao is a metaphysical (related to the branch of philosophy explaining nature of being and the world) concept originating from Laozi. This abstraction of the Tao was also recognized by the Confucianism, Buddhism and overall throughout East Asian philosophy and religion.
In Taoism, the followers do not approach the Tao with self-serving desires therefore, they can observe its wonders and marvels more carefully. This establishes a connection with the intelligence and the consciousness of the universe. It also gives the Taoists thoughtful insights and creativity. However, if they approach the Tao with self-serving desires, they can only observe its external physical presentation, not the inner essence.
The Tao is a metaphysical (related to the branch of philosophy explaining nature of being and the world) concept originating from Laozi. This abstraction of the Tao was also recognized by the Confucianism, Buddhism and overall throughout East Asian philosophy and religion.
In Taoism, the followers do not approach the Tao with self-serving desires therefore, they can observe its wonders and marvels more carefully. This establishes a connection with the intelligence and the consciousness of the universe. It also gives the Taoists thoughtful insights and creativity. However, if they approach the Tao with self-serving desires, they can only observe its external physical presentation, not the inner essence.
The Tao that can be spoken of
Is not the Everlasting Tao
The name that can be named
Is not the Everlasting name
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth
--Tao Te Ching, Lao Zi
This excerpt is from the holy text of Taoism, Tao Te Ching, and it is a section from the first chapter or introduction. In the words of Lao Zi, we can clearly and more accurately realize the significance of the Tao and its characteristics. Just like the description of the Tao above the quote, it is a nameless concept in Taoism that cannot "be spoken of". The first four lines show that Taoists cannot express or conceive the nature of the eternal Tao. Lao Zi also explains that the Tao is the "beginning of heaven and earth". In Tao Te Ching, Lao Zi illustrates the Tao with five thousand words, and he attempted to explain the Tao in the simplest way. However, until this day, many people cannot understand what the Tao really is.
Yin Yang
The Yin Yang is one of the most well-known concept within Taoism. It is the principle of complementary, natural forces, patterns, and things that depend on one another but do not make sense on their own. Even though they are opposites, they fit together and work in perfect harmony and peace. The yin yang is contrastive to Western dualism, because the two opposites are not at war, but rather in harmony. The outer circle represents “everything” in the universe, while the black and white inside the circle represents the interaction of two energies called the yin (black) and yang (white) that creates the “everything”. The yin is linked to Earth, darkness and female forces while yang stands for heaven, light, and male forces. Taoists believe that a well-being universe is depended on maintaining balance between the two forces.
Human Nature & Meaning of Life
The purpose of life in Taoism is to live in accordance to the Tao. In order to achieve harmony, human nature has to be aligned with the rest of the nature. Many practices like breathing and meditating results in experiencing a long and healthy life. Thus, if followers of Taoism adopt the Taoism beliefs, they has fully completed their value in life. If they model or emulate the appropriate behaviors that are indicated in the Tao Te Ching and other holy books, they have completed their life and can die in tranquility. The meaning of life in most religious Taoism is attaining immortality. By this, it can contain many values: attainment of superhuman physical abilities, longevity of life, eternal life, and more. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu stated that “There is a time to live and a time to die but never to reject the moment.” This shows that he, the founder of Taoism, believes that every Taoist should live for the moment and live his or her life on earth to the fullest, by harmonizing with nature.
Death and Afterlife
In Taoism, what happens in afterlife is not as important as what happens during their life on earth. Their he concepts of salvation is more focused on the present, not the future. This was proven when the archaeologists excavated tombs of the nobility, because from that evidence, they discovered that there was no unified set of beliefs about the afterlife. Taoists try to live for the moment and their goal is to live life to the fullest. Even though there are not many beliefs focused o death and afterlife, they define death as the "transformation from being to non-being" and conclude that it should not be feared or desired. Many ideas about the afterlife in Buddhism was later adapted by Taoism when Buddhism was first established in china, therefore Taoist notions of life beyond death are perceived by looking at Buddhism's perception of afterlife. Taoists believe that salvation is a matter of participation in the eternal return of the natural world and hope to live forever in human form with supernatural powers of an immortal. It is shown that the focal point of Taoism is the life on earth because they exceedingly stress on health and longevity, and these things are maintained through what they eat (their diet) and meditation.
Ch'i
The Ch'i is an invisible life force and energy flow that surrounds the Taoists at all times, and it affects the health, wealth, and happiness of them. Meaning, people have to maintain the Ch'i In order to be healthy and live a lengthy life. In chinese, it means "air" or "breath" and it is the essence for the religious practice, breathing, in Taoism. The nature of Ch'i has been a matter of debate in Chinese thinking, therefore there are many definitions of Ch'i. Thus, some people even believe that it is a physical matter, however most Taoists perceive the Ch'i as a separate force from earth.
Fang Shul is a traditional Chinese art of placement and arrangement, which is also based on the flow of the Ch'i. The Ch'i does not only affects aspects of the occupants of the space like health, wealth, energy level, luck, but is affected by color, shape, and the physical location of each object in a space.
Fang Shul is a traditional Chinese art of placement and arrangement, which is also based on the flow of the Ch'i. The Ch'i does not only affects aspects of the occupants of the space like health, wealth, energy level, luck, but is affected by color, shape, and the physical location of each object in a space.